Today is Dec.11 2008. Beijing’s first snowfall this winter will be helpful to reduce its air pollution. As we are know that Beijing is surrounded by three mountain ranges and the coming rain, winds and snow could have a positive impact on the capital’s air quality.
On Tuesday, Beijing experienced one of its most polluted days, with the air pollution index (API) hitting 247 citywide and 399 in the southern outskirts. Meteorological authorities said that the index dropped from a high of 247 on Tuesday to 162 Wednesday. But it is sitll high. An API of 51 to 100 indicates fairly good air quality, the China Environmental Monitoring Center said. An index of 101 to 150 means slight pollution, while an API in excess of 200 means severe air pollution.
People walk along a snow-covered section of the Great Wall in Beijing Wednesday. A cold front is forecast for the capital in the coming week and will further reduce the API to about 100, barring a big change in emissions, Li Xin, chief engineer of the Beijing municipal environment protection bureau, said.
The coming snowfalls and winds could also help Great Wall.